Pandemic Victims – Story – 5 – CrowdScores – A Victim Of Suspension Of All Sports Amidst The Pandemic

CrowdScores was a UK based Social Media startup company that was established in 2012. Designed specifically for football fans, the app allowed users to post match scores live and in real time, allowing users at home to view this data at a much quicker pace than traditional media. The app also included all kinds of information fans would need, like match fixtures, league tables, team lineups, and even highlight clips. It was a one stop shop for soccer fans.

CrowdScores relied on live, crowdsourced data from games, and allowed live viewers to input this data. The app was a platform to share this data, and relied on the live audience for their information. Before Covid, it was a robust platform for the fans to interact and enjoy their favorite game exclusively. 

CrowdScores  – Before the Pandemic 

By the year 2020, Crowdscores would span across 117 countries and cover over 350 leagues and competitions. Being the most popular sport, a large number of dedicated fanbase took to the platform. Over 5 million users worldwide sharing their love for the game had made this app widely popular. This wild popularity would also reflect in the support it garnered from investors as well. 

Crowdsources had amassed a total of £5.97 Million via six investment rounds, with their latest haul worth over £2 Million, which was also their largest amount gathered through a single round of investment. This growth was relatively steady over its lifetime, and this looked to continue to even greater heights. 

The Impact Of Covid On CrowdScores  

When the pandemic hit the world, one of the biggest measures taken was a lockdown, and a restriction on crowds worldwide. This affected football as well, with players of various clubs stuck in their home countries, isolated in bubbles, and kept from playing or even practicing with other people. As athletes, their health was the first priority. This also meant that leagues and games had to be halted until further notice. The Football world came to a standstill, and this derailed the momentum of the company. 

As a platform that relied on crowdsourced data from the live audience, the app could not continue. Without the live audience, Crowdscores did not hold the edge that it had over its competitors, and a lot of its widespread fanbase could not be involved in the app. This business model, which would be successful otherwise, was worst suited for such a situation. 

The Shutdown 

The ‘new normal’ of 2020 provided no spectators or sports for a company based on spectator sports. Without live games for a large part of 2020, and no live audience, the shutdown of Crowdscores proved to be mere formality. The app was all but obsolete in the new circumstances. 

Crowdscores officially closed down on May 17, 2020. The farewell post on its Social Media platforms said “Goodbye, for now”, and credited the community of fans for their success so far. The fans responded with an outpouring of love and support for the platform. It was another unfortunate case of an amazing platform losing to a Global Pandemic. As the saying goes, “Football without fans, is nothing.”